Lightweight transportable tent cot

ABSTRACT

A lightweight transportable articulated tent cot having an attached knapsack is disclosed, which tent cot includes mounting means for supporting it upon a hiker&#39;&#39;s back.

[ June 3, 1975 LIGHTWEIGHT TRANSPORTABLE TENT 3,619,827 ll/l97lMacKenzie.............................

COT

Primary Examiner-Paul R. Gilliam Assistant ExaminerDoris L. Troutman 6 0E5 8 L m ,A e m K0 Ch P M H0 m em mum AC E m n e V n l m 7 .I.

[22] Filed A May 16 1974 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Cahill, Sutton &Thomas [211 App]. 010.; 470,347

ABSTRACT [52] U.S. Cl. 5/110 51 Int. E03d 13/00 A llghtwelghttransportflble amculated cot having 58 Field of Search 5/110, 343, 344,113 an attached knapsack discbsed which tent cludes mounting means forsupporting it upon a hikers back.

[56] References Cited 10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures 3 4 3 N S T N. E" TmAm M mm Te mm SH D n H9 NH U7 o 2 5 4 3 LIGHTWEIGHT TRANSPORTABLE TENTCOT The present invention relates to and is an improvement over theLightweight Detachable Tent Cot Means" described in U.S. Pat. No.3,619,827. issued Nov. 16, 1971, and invented by the present applicant.

The present invention relates to camping equipment, and, moreparticularly, to portable backpack tent cot combinations.

Outdoorsmen, whether they be campers, hikers. fishermen, hunters, orthose who only occasionally spend a night outdoors, generally carry withthem some means for keeping warm during the night and some further meansfor protecting themselves against the elements and against the invasionof insects and reptiles. Most often, these persons transport bothsleeping bags and tent-like shelters during their outdoor trips. Olderstyle sleeping bags and tents are generally relatively bulky and of suchweight as to require some vehicle for transporting them to the campingsite. For those who travel to the camping site by motor vehicle orhorse, the transportation problem is easily solved. However, for thosewho visit thewilderness areas and who do not have pack animals, the lackof ready portability of both a sleeping bag and a tent severelyrestricts their cross country traveling range.

In an effort to satisfy the prevailing needs of outdoorsmen.manufacturers sought to develop lightweight sleeping bags andlightweight tents. These new models alleviate the problems to someextent but do not circumvent the necessity and inconvenience of carryingtoo bulky items in addition to the remaining gear. In an effort toreduce the number of articles to be carried, shelters have been combinedwith cots. These devices also minimize the intrusion of rodents, snakes,and various insects. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,173,156, 3,278,953, 3,584,322,3,601,825 and 3,757,360, are representative of various take-down shelterand cot devices. In all of these devices, a relatively conventional cotis employed which is adapted to receive the superstructure for anenveloping tent. Because of the need for substantial constructionmaterials, the weight of the devices generally precludes an averagehiker from carrying the device more than a minimum distance. Further,each of these devices must be carried by hand.

In an effort to overcome some of the disadvantages of the known priorart devices, the present applicant invented a tent cot combination whichovercomes many of the problem areas of the prior art devices. Thisinvention is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,619,827. While applicantsprior invention has been extensively used over a period of years, it hasbeen learned that it does not set forth the ultimate solution to anoutdoorsman's needs.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide aself contained tent-cot combination which, with carrying straps and abackpack container for other camping gear, is easily mountable upon anoutdoorsmans back.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tent cotcombination adjustably mountable upon an outdoorsmans back at a positioncommensurate with the outdoorsmansize and physical build.

,Still another object of the present invention is to provide a selfcontained unit for an outdoorsman having mounting means, cot means,shelter means, and carrying means for gear.

A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a portabletent cot combination having rapid setup and take-down features, withoutthe necessity to attach or detach any parts.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a shelterresiliently attached to the framework of a cot to accommodate movementof an occupant without damage to the shelter.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art as the description thereof proceeds.

The present invention may be described with greater clarity andspecificity with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates the present invention mounted upon an outdoorsmansback.

FIG. 2 illustrates the present invention in its fully folded outposition.

FIG. 3 illustrates the construction features at one end of the cot ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates the shelter securable to a cot.

FIG. 5 illustrates the foldable cot.

FIG. 6 illustrates the canvas supporting disposed within the cot.

FIG. 7 illustrates the pivot intermediate the cot rails and the headframes.

FIG. 8 illustrates the pivot point intermediate the cot rails.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a biker l transporting a backpacktent cot assembly 2, which assembly is constructed in accordance withthe present invention. The assembly 2 includes a backpack frame 5adjustably secured to head frame 10 of cot 6. The backpack frame 5 isformed of a pair of form fitting supports, of which support 12 is shown,and a plurality of transverse bars of which transverse bars 12a, 12b areshown. Shoulder straps l5 and 16 are secured to one of the transversebars of the form fitting frame, i.e., 12a, and fit about the hikersshoulders in a conventional manner. One or two wide load bearing bands17 and 18 extend horizontally intermediate form fitting supports 12 and13 and are positioned to transmit the load to the hikers back and toprevent chafing of the tent fabric by the hikers back.

The cot 6 is illustrated in its articulated form in FIG. 1. Cot 6includes a pair of head frames 10 and 11 intermediate which the rails,central support and canvas support have been folded. In addition, a tent7 is secured to each of head frames 10 and 11 and extends therebetween.It is shown in its collapsed and folded position sandwiched intermediatethe head frames. A knapsack 8 depends from head frame 11 and may be usedto store and transport food, clothing and other gear. A downwardlyopening envelope 9 fixed to knapsack 8 is configured to receive theupper end portion of head frame 11 and thereby support the knapsack. Aplurality of ties 4 may extend from the vertical edge of knapsack 8 tosecure the lower portion of the knapsack to the vertically orientedtubing of head frame 11.

From the above description, it may be readily appreciated that thepresent invention permits a hiker to carry his sleeping accommodations,shelter, and additional gear by securing them to his back and thus neednot hand carry any of these items.

FIG. 2 illustrates the present invention in its outfolded position readyfor occupancy by the hiker. Head frame is formed as a downwardlyoriented U-shaped piece of tubing 20.

In order to increase the elevation of head frame 10 and thus increasethe ingress and egress height of the head of the tent, while stillmaintaining the elevation of the cot the same from head to foot, twotubular members 21 and 22 are secured by pin means 23.

A first transverse rod 25 is securely disposed intermediate the arms oftubing to maintain them fixedly separated from one another. It alsoserves to receive the successive wrappings of elastic cord 61 (see FIG.3). A second transverse rod 26' is disposed toward the top of head frame10 and serves two purposes. First, it tends to add additional rigidityto tubing 20. Second, it serves as the point of attachment between formfitting supports 12 and 13 of the form fitting backpack frame 5 and thehead frame 10. Conventional attachment means 27 may be employedintermediate form fitting supports 12 and 13 and transverse rod 26.Reseasable connection means 28 are disposed in proximity to each end oftransverse rod 26 and cooperate with mating connection means 29 disposedwithin predetermined sections of tubing 20. The releasable feature ofconnection means 28 permits the transverse rod 26 to be selectivelyrepositioned upwardly or downwardly, whereby the center of gravity ofassembly 2, when transported as shown in FIG. 1, may be varied to suitthe hikers physical size and build. Elastic cords 37 and 38 may bewrapped around transverse rod and supports 12 and 13 to secure the lowerend of headframe 10 to back pack frame 5.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a flexible brace 47 is wrapped around thearms of head frame 10. Brace 47 serves as a load bearing support actingagainst the form fitting supports 12 and 13 of backpack frame 5 toprevent the assembly 2 from pivoting downwardly about transverse rod 26.Further, brace 47 prevents chafing between the sandwiched tent cotcombination and the hikers back. It may take the form of a rectangularcanvas piece, as shown, having the ends connected to one another bymeans of a laced cord 48 or any one of several forms.

The framework of cot 6 will be described with con.- bined reference toFIGS. 2 and 5. Headd frame 11 is similar to head frame 10 in that it isformed as a downwardly oriented U-shaped piece of tubing 39 having atransverse rod 40 fixedly secured to and extending intermediate the armsof the tubing. The height of head frame 11 may be equivalent to or lessthan that of head frame 10. Each of the horizontal rails 30 are formedof a pair of telescoping tubular members 31 and 32. Detent means 24 maybe disposed intermediate telescoping members 31 and 32 to lockablysecure them in the extended position. Pairs of tubular members 31 areconnected to one another by central pivots 34. Each of tubular members32 is pivotally connected to its respective head frame 10 or 11 by endpivots 33. The arms of a U-shaped center support 35 are also connectedto center pivots 34, which support serves as a brace for rails 30.Center support 34 may include a transverse rod 36 for rigidity.

Referring momentarily to FIGS. 7 and 8. the end pivots and centralpivots, respectively, will be described in further detail. The end pivot33 may be formed of a piece of sheet metal bent into a U-shaped device41 which is pivotally secured to tubing 43 by means of a bolt or rivet44. The base 42 of the device is partially cut away to receive therespective tubing 43 of an end frame extending therethrough. Therespective telescoping tubular member 32 is rigidly secured withindevice 41 adjacent base 42 by means of a bolt or rivet 45. From theabove description. it may be appreciated that device 41 pivots aboutrivet 44 to position the telescoping member 32 normal to tubing 43 orparallel thereto. When cot 6 is folded out, the flanges 46 engage eitherside of tubing 43 to restrain lateral movement of telescoping tubularmember 32.

Central pivot 34 includes a pair of T-shaped plates 50 disposed ateither side of the junction between telescoping members 31 and the endof each arm of center support 35. The T-shaped plates 50 are rigidlysecured to either side of the center support arm by means of bolts orrivets 51. Telescoping members 31 are pivotally secured intermediate theT-shaped plates 50 by means of bolts or rivets 52 and 53. It will nowbecome apparent that telescoping members 31 are longitudinally alignedwith one another when the cot is in its outfolded position and alignedparallel with the arms of central support 35 when the cot has beenfolded.

The canvas support 55 attached intermediate rails 30 and transverse rods25 and 40 of cot 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 6.The canvas support 55 is formed in an essentially rectangularconfiguration but of lesser length than the length of rails 30 when thelatter are in their extended position. A pair of indentations 57 aredisposed in proximity to central pivots 34 to prevent the canvas support55 from binding thereon when cot 6 is folded and unfolded. Each of thecorners of canvas support 55 are cut away to accommodate each of therespective end pivots 33 and may be suitably reinforced as necessary.The sides of canvas support 55 include a plurality of sleeves 56, eachof which receives one set of tubular members 31 and 32. A further sleeve58 is disposed at one end of the canvas support 55 to receive transverserod 40. In the alternative, canvas support 55 may be attached totransverse rod 40 as described below. The other end of canvas support 55includes an apertured reinforced transverse section 59. An elastic cord61 is threaded through each of apertures 60 in section 69 and wrappedaround transverse rod 25. Thereby, the canvas support 55 can give in thelongitudinal axis to accommodate movement of a person lying thereupon;compensate for repositioning of the canvas support during the cotfolding and unfolding operation; and, maintain the canvas support in atuat configuration without impeding the folding of cot 6. The elasticcord 61 aslo accommodates contraction or elongation of canvas support 55due to weather changes.

Tent 7 will be described with particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 4.Tent 7 is constructed as a rectangular shaped envelope having pentagonalshaped ends 65 and 66, a peaked roof 67, sides 68 and 69, and a floor70. The length and width of tent 7 is configured to be approximatelythat of the cot 6 shown in FIG. 5. Each of ends 65 and 66 may include ascreened window 77 having an internally or externally disposed rainshield. Side 68 includes an elongated flap 72 secured to the side by azipper 73. Flap 72 may also include a screen window 74 having anopenable rain shield.

Loops 75, 76. 77, 78, and 79 are disposed at each of the apices of end65. Similar loops 80, 81, 82, 83 and 84 are disposed at each of theapices of end 66 (although loop 84 is now shown in the drawings, it isdisposed at end 66 opposite to loop 80). An elastic cord interconnectsloops 75, 79, to anchor points 85, 89, and loops 80 and 84 to anchorpoints 90, 103 at the respective head frames and 11 in proximity to endpivots 33. Head frames 10 and 11 (see FIG. 5) include three anchorpoints 36, 87, 88 and 91, 92, 99, respectively. These anchor points arelocated at a point corresponding to the position of the loops 76, 77,78, and 81, 82 and 83. Additional lengths of elastic cord interconnecteach of these loops with their corresponding anchor points. By the abovearrangement, it may be understood that the elastic cords interconnectingtent 7 and cot 6 tend to resiliently maintain the tent upon the cot andprevent tearing of the tent material should the tent be displaced fromthe cot, especially by abrupt movement of the occupant.

As the peaked roof 67 is not intended to be. drawn extremely tightly,troughs may form therein which could catch the rain and create puddles.To eliminate the formation of such puddles, braces 93 and 94 may bedisposed transverse to peaked roof 67 in engagement with respective onesof ears 95, 96, 97, and 98.

To further stabilize assembly 1 in the outfolded position as shown inFIG. 2, guide lines 100 and 101 may be secured intermediate anchorpoints 87 and 90, respectively, and a tree or a peg 102 driven into theground.

In operation, assembly 2, as shown in FIG. 1, may be outfolded to theposition shown in FIG. 2 by the following process. The assembly 2 isremoved from the hikers back and placed upon the ground such that headframe 10 is positioned at the intended location of the hikers head whenhe reclines upon the cot 6. For convenience, the ends of rigid members21 and 22 may be slightly forced into the ground to provide a firmanchor. The hiker 1 would then grasp head frame 11 and pull it away fromhead frame 10. The resulting displacement between head frames 10 and 11causes rails to unfold to a horizontal position and the tubular members32 will be withdrawn from within tubular members 31. In the fullyextended position, the components of rails 30 will be aligned with oneanother and the base of center section 35 will be in a plane generallydefined by the lower extremities of the two head frames. The guy lines,if used, may now be secured to their anchor points. As the ends 65, 66of tent 7 are resiliently attached to head frames 10 and 11, the processof outfolding cot 6 will simultaneously result in an outfolding of tent6 from its folded position intermediate the head frames to the positionshown in FIG. 2. Moreover, canvas support 55 will be properly positionedwith respect to cot 6 due to the biasing force provided by elastic cord61 and the slidably accommodating sleeves 56.

The assembly 2 may be folded into its compact state shown in FIG. 1 bythe following procedure. The guy lines, if used, are detached from theiranchoring points but for simplicity of operation it might be recommendedthat guy line 100 be temporarily retained in its anchored position. Bylifting cot 6 at apoint approximately coincidental with central pivots34, the rails 30 will pivot and draw head frame 11 toward head frame 10.Once rails 30 have begun to pivot about their centers, the hiker maygrasp head frame 11 and force it toward head frame 10. Such action willcause further pivotal movement of the rails until the respective halfsections thereof are parallel to one another and parallel to theadjacent head frames. Simultaneously, the tubular members 32 will slidewithin tubular members 31, provided that the detent means 24, if used,have been released. The degree of construction of the pairs of rails issuch that the folded length of each rail 30 is equivalent to, or lessthan, the distance between end pivots 33 and the top of the head frames10 and 11. Concurrently, the canvas support 55 will tend to bag slightlyas its length now becomes greater than that of rails 30. The bagging ofthe canvas support will provide sufficient recesses to receive theadjacent collapsed sec tions of tent 7. Thereby, the rails, canvassupport, and tent will be retained compactly intermediate the two headframes. In practice, it has been found that the overall depth of theassembled unit is approximately 6 inch, and from the side view itroughly resembles the letter W compressed.

Knapsack 8, supported by head frame 11 during transporting, need not beremoved during the extension and compaction of assembly 2. In fact, headframe 11 provides a convenient means by which knapsack 8 may bemaintained off the ground to discourage rodents and insects fromcrawling therein and yet be of ready access to the hiker.

From the above description, it may be appreciated that the presentinvention teaches a lightweight single compact unit which includes:means for transporting it upon a hikers back; means for providing aplace to sleep which is off the ground; a means for protecting oneselfagainst the elements; and, a means for transporting other gear necessaryfor comfortable survival in the wilderness. Further, the interaction ofthe various components without the necessity to attach or detach anyparts, permits the user, rapidly and with greater facility, to extend orcollapse the unit.

It is to be understood that some or all of the laterally extendingmembers could be formed as telescoping members. Thereby, the presentinvention can be compacted in the lateral axis as well as in thelongitudinal axis during transport or storage.

While the principles of the invention have now been made clear in anillustrative embodiment, there will immediately be obvious to thoseskilled in the art many modifications of structure, arrangement,proportions, the elements, materials, and components, used in thepractice of the invention which are particularly adapted for specificenvironments and operating requirements without departing from thoseprinciples.

I claim:

1. A self contained transportable shelter unit for hikers, said unitcomprising in combination:

A. a foldable cot for providing off-the-ground support for the hiker,said cot having a first folded position and a second extended positionand including:

1. a first and second head frame disposed at opposite ends of said cot,said first head frame including at least one transverse rod extendinghorizontally across said first head frame and means for verticallyrepositioning said transverse rod with respect to said first head frame;

2. a pair of articulated spaced apart rails extending intermediate saidfirst and second head frames, said rails in combination with said firstand second head frames defining the perimeter of said cot;

3. each said rail including joined pairs of telescoping members, forreducing the length of said rails when said cot is in said firstposition, said pairs of telescoping members being positionalbe adjacentone another when said cot is in said first position and positionable inaxial alignment with one another when said cot is in said secondposition;

4. pivot means disposed at each junction of each of said rails and thecorresponding one of said first and second head frames to permit saidrails to pivot with respect to said first and second head frames;

5. further pivot means disposed at the junction of said pairs oftelescoping members of each said rail to accommodate the articulation ofsaid pairs of telescoping members;

6. a center support secured to said further pivot means for supportingsaid pair of rails; and

7. a foldable canvas support disposed intermediate to and supported bysaid first and second head frames and said pair of rails;

B. a foldable tent for sheltering the hiker, said tent being disposedupon said canvas support and extending intermediate said first andsecond head frames, said tent including resilient means inter connectingsaid tent with each of said first and second head frames for maintainingsaid tent upon said cot;

C. a form fitting backpack frame for mounting said cot upon the hikersback, said form fitting backpack frame including a pair of verticalsupports, releasable connection means engaging said vertical supportsand said transverse rod for securing said form fitting backpack frame tosaid first head frame, whereby said form fitting backpack frame may berepositioned in the vertical axis with respect to said first head frame;and

D. a knapsack for carrying the provisions of the hiker, attachment meansextending from said knapsack for supporting said knapsack on said secondhead frame; whereby, said cot is foldable to said first position byarticulating said rails to draw said first and second head frames andsaid attached knapsack toward said first head frame while foldablystoring said canvas support and said tent intermediate said drawntogether first and second frames to compress said unit and permit thehiker to carry said unit, and, whereby, said cot is extended to saidsecond position by positioning said first and second head frames in aspaced apart relationship to axially extend and align said pairs oftelescoping members to form said cot and extend said tent whileretaining said knapsack off the ground by said second head frame.

2. A transportable tent cot unit for hikers, said unit comprising incombination:

A. a cot foldable to a first position and extendable to a secondposition, said cot including:

1. a pair of head frames, one of said head frames including apositionable transverse rod and means for engaging said transverse rodin one of a plurality of vertically displaced positions;

2. a pair of articulated collapsible rails disposed intermediate saidpair of head frames and pivotally connected thereto at a point betweenthe upper and lower extremities of each of said pair of head frames.said pair of rails, in combination with said pair of head frames,defining the boundaries of said cot; whereby, said pair of rails arearticulated and collapsed to draw said pair of head frames toward oneanother into a compact ensemble to establish said first position andwhereby said pair of rails are unfolded and extended to displace saidpair of head frames from one another to define said cot and establishsaid second position;

3. a foldable canvas support slidably secured to said head frames andsaid pair of rails; and

4. support means defined by another of said head frames for maintaininga knapsack; whereby, the knapsack is transportable in conjunction withsaid cot and is positioned off-ground when said cot is placed in saidsecond position;

B. a foldable tent defining a shelter for the hiker, said tent includingend pieces generally in conformation with the outline of that part ofthe corresponding one of said pair of head frames which extends upwardlyfrom said pair of rails, said tent including a plurality of resilientmeans disposed about the perimeter of each of said end pieces forresiliently attaching said tent to each of said head frames, wherebymovement of said tent with respect to said cot is accommodated by saidresilient means; and

C. a form fitting backpack frame for transporting said cot, said tentand the knapsack, said backpack frame including a pair of form fittingsupports and engagement means for attaching said form fitting supportsto said transverse rod such that the hiker can adjust the verticalposition of said one head frame with respect to said backpack frame,said backpack frame further including shoulder straps for mounting saidbackpack frame and attached load upon his shoulders.

3. The unit as set forth in claim 2 wherein each of said pair of headframes comprise:

A. an inverted U-shaped piece of tubing having a pair of arms extendingfrom a base; and

B. a further transverse rod interconnecting said arms at a point inproximity to the pivotal connection between said rails and said headframe.

4. The unit as set forth in claim 3 wherein each of said head framesincludes a plurality of anchor points for engagement with acorresponding one of said resillent means, one of said anchor pointsbeing disposed at: each junction between said head frame and said rails;each junction between each of the head frame arms and the head framebase; and, the center of the head frame base.

5. The unit as set forth in claim 4 including a brace extending acrossthe arms of said one head frame. said brace, on engagement with saidbackpack frame. limiting the pivotal movement of said one head frametoward the hiker.

6. The unit as set forth in claim 5 wherein said canvas support includessleeves for receiving said rails and said second transverse rod of oneof said head frames and resilient cord means for movably securing saidcanvas support to said second transverse rod of another of said headframes.

7. The unit as set forth in claim 2 wherein said cot includes a centralsupport pivotally secured to said pivot means for providing support forsaid cot.

flap extending across said opening and at least one screened aperturefor providing ventilation for an 0ccupant of said tent.

10. The unit as set forth in claim 2 including a guy line attached toeach of said head frames for retaining said cot in said second position.

1. A self contained transportable shelter unit for hikers, said unitcomprising in combination: A. a foldable cot for providingoff-the-ground support for the hiker, said cot having a first foldedposition and a second extended position and including:
 1. a first andsecond head frame disposed at opposite ends of said cot, said first headframe including at least one transverse rod extending horizontallyacross said first head frame and means for vertically repositioning saidtransverse rod with respect to said first head frame;
 1. a pair of headframes, one of said head frames including a positionable transverse rodand means for engaging said transverse rod in one of a plurality ofvertically displaced positions;
 1. A self contained transportableshelter unit for hikers, said unit comprising in combination: A. afoldable cot for providing off-the-ground support for the hiker, saidcot having a first folded position and a second extended position andincluding:
 1. a first and second head frame disposed at opposite ends ofsaid cot, said first head frame including at least one transverse rodextending horizontally across said first head frame and means forvertically repositioning said transverse rod with respect to said firsthead frame;
 2. a pair of articulated spaced apart rails extendingintermediate said first and second head frames, said rails incombination with said first and second head frames defining theperimeter of said cot;
 3. each said rail including joined pairs oftelescoping members, for reducing the length of said rails when said cotis in said first position, said pairs of telescoping members beingpositionalbe adjacent one another when said cot is in said firstposition and positionable in axial alignment with one another when saidcot is in said second position;
 4. pivot means disposed at each junctionof each of said rails and the corresponding one of said first and secondhead frames to permit said rails to pivot with respect to said first andsecond head frames;
 5. further pivot means disposed at the junction ofsaid pairs of telescoping members of each said rail to accommodate thearticulation of said pairs of telescoping members;
 6. a center supportsecured to said further pivot means for supporting said pair of rails;and
 7. a foldable canvas support disposed intermediate to and supportedby said first and second head frames and said pair of rails; B. afoldable tent for sheltering the hiker, said tent being disposed uponsaid canvas support and extending intermediate said first and secondhead frames, said tent including resilient means interconnecting saidtent with each of said first and second head frames for maintaining saidtent upon said cot; C. a form fitting backpack frame for mounting saidcot upon the hiker''s back, said form fitting backpack frame including apair of vertical supports, releasable connection means engaging saidvertical supports and said transverse rod for securing said form fittingbackpack frame to said first head frame, whereby said form fittingbackpack frame may be repositioned in the vertical axis with respect tosaid first head frame; and D. a knapsack for carrying the provisions ofthe hiker, attachment means extending from said knapsack for supportingsaid knapsack on said second head frame; whereby, said cot is foldableto said first position by articulating said rails to draw said first andsecond head frames and said attached knapsack toward said first headframe while foldably storing said canvas support and said tentintermediate said drawn together first and second frames to compresssaid unit and permit the hiker to carry said unit, and, whereby, saidcot is extended to said second position by positioning said first andsecond head frames in a spaced apart relationship to axially extend andalign said pairs of telescoping members to form said cot and extend saidtent while retaining said knapsack off the ground by said second headframe.
 2. a pair of articulated collapsible rails dispoSed intermediatesaid pair of head frames and pivotally connected thereto at a pointbetween the upper and lower extremities of each of said pair of headframes, said pair of rails, in combination with said pair of headframes, defining the boundaries of said cot; whereby, said pair of railsare articulated and collapsed to draw said pair of head frames towardone another into a compact ensemble to establish said first position andwhereby said pair of rails are unfolded and extended to displace saidpair of head frames from one another to define said cot and establishsaid second position;
 2. A transportable tent cot unit for hikers, saidunit comprising in combination: A. a cot foldable to a first positionand extendable to a second position, said cot including:
 2. a pair ofarticulated spaced apart rails extending intermediate said first andsecond head frames, said rails in combination with said first and secondhead frames defining the perimeter of said cot;
 3. each said railincluding joined pairs of telescoping members, for reducing the lengthof said rails when said cot is in said first position, said pairs oftelescoping members being positionalbe adjacent one another when saidcot is in said first position and positionable in axial alignment withone another when said cot is in said second position;
 3. a foldablecanvas support slidably secured to said head frames and said pair ofrails; and
 3. The unit as set forth in claim 2 wherein each of said pairof head frames comprise: A. an inverted U-shaped piece of tubing havinga pair of arms extending from a base; and B. a further transverse rodinterconnecting said arms at a point in proximity to the pivotalconnection between said rails and said head frame.
 4. pivot meansdisposed at each junction of each of said rails and the correspondingone of said first and second head frames to permit said rails to pivotwith respect to said first and second head frames;
 4. support meansdefined by another of said head frames for maintaining a knapsack;whereby, the knapsack is transportable in conjunction with said cot andis positioned off-ground when said cot is placed in said secondposition; B. a foldable tent defining a shelter for the hiker, said tentincluding end pieces generally in conformation with the outline of thatpart of the corresponding one of said pair of head frames which extendsupwardly from said pair of rails, said tent including a plurality ofresilient means disposed about the perimeter of each of said end piecesfor resiliently attaching said tent to each of said head frames, wherebymovement of said tent with respect to said cot is accommodated by saidresilient means; and C. a form fitting backpack frame for transportingsaid cot, said tent and the knapsack, said backpack frame including apair of form fitting supports and engagement means for attaching saidform fitting supports to said transverse rod such that the hiker canadjust the vertical position of said one head frame with respect to saidbackpack frame, said backpack frame further including shoulder strapsfor mounting said backpack frame and attached load upon his shoulders.4. The unit as set forth in claim 3 wherein each of said head framesincludes a plurality of anchor points for engagement with acorresponding one of said resilient means, one of said anchor pointsbeing disposed at: each junction between said head frame and said rails;each junction between each of the head frame arms and the head framebase; and, the center of the head frame base.
 5. The unit as set forthin claim 4 including a brace extending across the arms of said one headframe, said brace, on engagement with said backpack frame, limiting thepivotal movement of said one head frame toward the hiker.
 5. furtherpivot means disposed at the junction of said pairs of telescopingmembers of each said rail to accommodate the articulation of said pairsof telescoping members;
 6. a center support secured to said furtherpivot means for supporting said pair of rails; and
 6. The unit as setforth in claim 5 wherein said canvas support includes sleeves forreceiving said rails and said second transverse rod of one of said headframes and resilient cord means for movably securing said canvas supportto said second transverse rod of another of said head frames.
 7. Theunit as set forth in claim 2 wherein said cot includes a central supportpivotally secured to said pivot means for providing support for saidcot.
 7. a foldable canvas support disposed intermediate to and supportedby said first and second head frames and said pair of rails; B. afoldable tent for sheltering the hiker, said tent being disposed uponsaid canvas support and extending intermediate said first and secondhead frames, said tent including resilient means interconnecting saidtent with each of said first and second head frames for maintaining saidtent upon said cot; C. a form fitting backpack frame for mounting saidcot upon the hiker''s back, said form fitting backpack frame including apair of vertical supports, releasable connection means engaging saidvertical supports and said transverse rod for securing said form fittingbackpack frame to said first head frame, whereby said form fittingbackpack frame may be repositioned in the vertical axis with respect tosaid first head frame; and D. a knapsack for carrying the provisions ofthe hiker, attachment means extending from said knapsack for supportingsaid knapsack on said second head frame; whereby, said cot is foldableto said first position by articulating said rails to draw said first andsecond head frames and said attached knapsack toward said first headframe while foldably storing said canvas support and said tentintermediate said drawn together first and second frames to compresssaid unit and permit the hiker to carry said unit, and, whereby, saidcot is extended to said second position by positioning said first andsecond head frames in a spaced apart relationship to axially extend andalign said pairs of telescoping members to form said cot and extend saidtent while retaining said knapsack off the ground by said second headframe.
 8. The unit as set forth in claim 7 wherein each of said railsinclude two pairs of telescoping members for foreshortening said railswhen said cot is folded to said first position and detent means forretaining said pairs of telescoping members in an extended position. 9.The unit as set forth in claim 2 wherein said tent includes an openingfor ingress and egress, a closeable flap extending across said openingand at least one screened aperture for providing ventilation for anoccupant of said tent.